Help with prop on TX 175 - need a hydro stabilizer?

[aje3721]

Well I recently went to a 24V Maxxum on he bow and a third group 27 battery in the back along with a 15 lb. charger under the passenger seat. With all the extra weight now the 25 hp Merc (2 stroke) isn't doing as well as it did with two batteries back there. I know 25hp on a fully loaded boat like this isn't going to plane but it's really working hard now and the rpms seem very low. It think they were down around 4400 or so when they were much higher before the weight. The batteries and charger are here to stay so I guess my question is how to make the best of it staying with a 25hp. Do I try a hydro stabilizer on the motor? Switch out the stock prop? If someone has a good recommendation for prop pitch and a hydro that worked for them I would appreciate it.

 

[hawger]

Re: Help with prop on TX 175 - need a hydro stabilizer?

Try raising the motor. The folks that rig these boats could care less about performance. They just set the motor bracket on its highest point (which means the motor sits at its lowest point in the water) creating a ton of drag. I raised my motor bracket up to its lowest setting (the motor now sits higher on the transom) and the performance of my pt175 w/ a 25hp four stroke was incredible. I could not believe it. Huge difference. I would try this first before spending any more money.

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: Help with prop on TX 175 - need a hydro stabilizer?

Nice post Hawger. I may just have to look into that.

 

[aje3721]

Re: Help with prop on TX 175 - need a hydro stabilizer?

Hawger... I agree with the "slap it together set up" but I can't wrap my brain around what you're saying about raising the motor. Are you referring to essentially what a jack plate would do, raising the motor straight up on the transom or the trim setting with the five holes on the motor bracket? Initially my motor was set with the pin in the middle of five holes. I tucked it in one more position and things improved but my rpms were still too low and out of the ideal range for the motor. I actually found another prop and that put the rpms back up where they should be but the speed (as much as I could hope for) is not there now. I have thought about raising the motor higher on the transom but am having a hard time justifying a $500 jack plate for a 25hp motor...

 

[aje3721]

Re: Help with prop on TX 175 - need a hydro stabilizer?

Okay Hawger... I shook out the cobwebs and now I see what you're talking about. Your motor is bolted on through the transom I assume. Mine is simply sitting on it and clamped rather than being bolted on. I have thought about a rectangular piece of aluminum channel between the motor bracket and the transom to raise it an inch or so. I would still have room for the clamps to bite on the transom but that would give me more height. After the height was there then I could mess around between the two props. Has anyone ever raised a motor with a spacer between the transom and the motor bracket?